As the muscles, ligaments and supporting tissues in the pelvis become weaker, they are less able to hold in the organs of the pelvis such as the womb (uterus) or bladder.

Gravity pulls these organs down and, in the more severe cases, may appear through the entrance to the vagina.

A variety of problems can occur, depending on where the weakness lies and which organs are able to descend, but in every case there is some degree of prolapse of the vaginal wall, which begins to invert (rather like a sock turning inside out). Prolapse of the womb or uterus is the most common prolapse, affecting as many as one in eight older women to some degreeProlapse of the bladder, known as a cystocele, is less common. Prolapse of the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) is known as a urethrocele.Prolapse of the intestines is quite rare, and known as an enterocele or rectocele.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on which tissues descend, and how severe the prolapse is.

They may include:A sense of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis.The appearance of a bulge of tissue in the genital area, which can be quite alarming, and is often red and sore.Urinary problems, such as having to urinate more frequently, feeling the need urgently, being incontinent (losing control of the bladder) or, conversely, being unable to pass urine when you need to.Pain in the pelvis or lower back.Sexual problems, including pain and decreased libido.Constipation.Vaginal discharge or bleeding.

Treatment and recovery

Once a prolapse has developed, surgery to fix the affected organs is usually the only way to cure it effectively.

However, another option is to use a device known as a vaginal ring pessary. This is rather like a contraceptive diaphragm or cervical cap. It's made of silicone or latex, and placed in the vagina to push back the prolapsed organs and hold them in place. Many women happily manage their prolapse this way.

Hi Troubled. Your gynae seems more use than mine. I found my poo physio very helpful and I am still practicing my pelvic release exercises, although I have good days and bad days for pooing.

A bit sore in the repair today - don't know if it is infection or meno, so have had a swab. Antibiotic cream prescribed is not stocked at the chemist, so I will have to wait until morning . On the plus side, they stock Sylk on the shelf, which is more than the local Boots can manage.

Thanks folks, and Footle, yes I'm happier than I've been for years. It's made a huge difference, not living with someone who treated me as badly as he did. Stress exacerbates health issues, so at least I don't have to cope with that too. Hugs to all!

Hi folks! Not been on for ages, husband left and I am picking up the pieces, gradually shredding 28 years of relationship. Just to give you all hope with rectocele surgery...18 months on still doing well and pooing straight with the help of all bran every day!As long as you don't get constipated it appears that the prognosis can be very good!As for the wee side, not so good. Some of you will remember I had a disastrous TVT and removal. Still struggling with the seroma but hopefully the surgeon will address that quite soon. Uncharted waters with that complication unfortunately. Yesterday I had a bit of a disaster at work. I had to run after a young lad and I don't do running anynmore as my bladder control is not what it used to be, with the inevitable consequences! Quite embarrassing really, but generally I don't have too much of a problem on a day to day basis. Michelle ken way deserves a medal for her pelvic floor research. Really sad reading about new folk and the uphill battles. Still, this site has been so valuable to so many people over a considerable period of time now.Take care all of you. Good luck with the surgery and don't do too much,Love jackie xxx

Hi everyone.Just wanted to stop by and show my face. Things not fab at the moment. Physically, at 11 weeks post surgery, I seem to be doing OK. But emotionally I'm having a complete and extended meltdown. So, just wanted to say sorry for not being on the thread. Hopefully I'll be back soon when I'm feeling a bit stronger.Hope everyone is doing OK. Love to all of you.

Hello again, sorry I disappeared. I had a mini meltdown last week, at first couldn't get through to the hospital, so I avoided making the call again until Monday, mad I know, but I had gotten myself so down about the idea of another prolapse that I think on some level, I didn't want my worst fears confirmed. The woman I spoke to was quite defensive at first"What makes you think you've got another prolapse, when your surgery was only on the second?" When I told her I could see and feel a bulge and she heard my voice cracking she softened right up, thankfully. She told me that I needed to go to my GP, but if it did look like another prolapse then it would only take 14 days to get a clinic appointment with my consultant. I managed to get an appointment on Monday with the nice female GP in the practise. Since I felt the bulge last Wednesday I had noticed the discharge on my pad was heavier, greenish and progressively worse smelling as the days went on (OMG the things I find myself typing on this thread). GP examined me and said that there was an obvious infection, that my stitches did not seem to be dissolving at all and when I was pushing as she requested there wasn't the bulging of a prolapse, just a lot of swelling round my stitches probably from the infection and no urine loss when bearing down either. She took a swab and a urine sample and I got my antibiotics yesterday. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic. This morning in the bath some stitches were floating on the water when I got out. Looked like knotted thick cotton, it was greenish but I'm assuming that's because of the infection.My pain is a lot better, just uncomfortable mainly and i'm having longer and longer spells where I feel almost normal. Managing well with paracetamol or ibuprofen. Dh has worked from home this week which has been a help, but has just dropped the bombshell that he has to go to Athens next Tuesday to Friday for work. The ILs are on holiday and my DM is 150 miles away, so I'll be on my own and relying on friends to help with stuff like school runs etc. Now for some stupid questions:When did you all feel able to drive again? My insurers have said I can resume driving whenever I feel able to. I don't think I'm far off that.Also do any of you do an online grocery shop? Provided I don't order anything huge or heavy for me to get out bags, does the the delivery chap carry it all into the house in bags for you to put away? I've never done t before.I'm sorry about the essay,I obviously stayed away too long. It's a relief to be able to get it all out. As I said to my friend yesterday " there are probably porn actresses who think about their vaginas less than I do".

Sorry to hear about the infection Leaky (although I suppose it is a lot better than another prolapse....) I have some sort of infection too at nearly 4 months It was all going so nicely..... Of course it could be the dreaded Vag. At. (for those who watched Getting On) but I have to wait for the swab results. I have antbiotic cream with applicator, which is an experience

Can you get enough shopping delivered before OH goes away? I always found that it was best to get everthing well prepared in advance before my OH went away, when my little ones were all toddlers, then just survive until he got back. They usually bring it into the house, but I have only ever had them leave it in the hallway, as they would have to tramp through the sitting room to get to the kitchen.

I was driving after 3-4 weeks (just rectocele repair) although it was only short journeys, and not terribly comfortable (actually, it isn't now due to infection).

Good to hear from some of you who haven't posted for a while, sorry to those who are struggling.

Leaky - my surgeon told me not to drive until 6 weeks (rectocele repair) and the insurance company said I had to stick with that. As I really only use the car for work and shopping that was OK for me. As for shopping I had been using Ocado regularly for about a year when I had my op and post-op I either booked a delivery for when someone else was at home (even if it was only the DCs, mine are 9 and 7 and capable of carrying it) or asked the driver to carry it through to the kitchen, they were fine about that, I have always found Ocado drivers very friendly. You could probably give them a call and ask if they could make a note on your booking if you really needed it guaranteed.

cardamom I have been wondering how you are doing, really sorry that you're having a tough time at the moment and hope that you feel more positive soon.

leaky I'm relieved for you that you haven't got a new prolapse but sorry about having an infection, hope the antibiotics have got on top of it and you're not too uncomfortable. Regarding driving, my insurance was very different in that they wanted written authority from my consultant that I could drive. As I didn't see him until 8 weeks post op I didn't start driving until then.

Dahlia sorry to hear about your infection too, again I hope the antibiotics work soon and you feel better.

I'm being very rude and place marking, sorry as I think this thread could be really useful for me as I've just been out on the list to have a rectocele repair surgery and a perinuim-somethingorother, I've signed the constant forms but I am incrediably nervous and scared. I need a bladder prolapse repair operation but they can't do both at the same time so I need to wait for the first one to heal.

Thanks for the advice re driving and shopping. I think if at all possible I will continue to let my friend do school runs next week and not go back to driving until I'm a bit more comfortable, hopefully when the infection has cleared up fully.Hi FourLittleDudes I'm 4 and a bit weeks post cystocele and rectocele repair and this thread has been a lifeline; a great source of advice, encouragement and empathy and a place here you can unashamedly ask questions or describe things that might be too awkward or embarrassing in RL. I was extremely nervous before my op and it's entirely normal to feel that way, it's a big thing and the long slow recovery afterwards can also be pretty daunting, especially if you have young dc.

Hi everyone! I was suggested to check this thread out and I've been reading and reading! So much to read. I'm glad I found this.

I'm 27, mother of 1, born -05. Had a small cystocele after that but it wasn't really bothering me so much. After being constipated for ages I now have a grade 2 cystocele + rectocele. Saw a doctor at gyn some weeks ago and she offered me a ring and a combined operation after I've got my stomach regular again. Going to see the surgeon in a month and hopefully have it done by august. I'm seeing that the aftercare routines most of you get seem different than the ones here (I'm a swede)! Here it's back to work (if no heavy lifting) within 1-2 weeks and they say you're back to normal in a short time. Maybe that's not true though. I commute 2 hours one way for university and start again in beginning of September and need to be able to sit the long drives so I'm hoping having it done early august will be enough.

I'm sorry we are having these troubles but glad still that there's support to be found!

I had an anterior repair for a bladder and uterus prolapse and a sacrospinus fixation back in December 2012 and I don't think it has worked.

I've had my suspisions from the start that it all felt a bit odd - knowing it would never really feel the same again (but you know how you kind of keep kidding yourself that all is ok when its not). I have started a small exercise regime now that the weather is more clement and been walking DS to and from school (2 miles there and back) and I can only describe 'up there' being sore and (sorry) I can feel a bulge, only this time it is further 'up' than it was before. Before my op I was wearing a ring pessary and without it the bulge was low.

Also prior to surgery I was lucky enough not to have any waterworks problems despite having a bladder prolapse but now I go to the loo and when I stand get a final 'dribble' which is damn annoying especially when in a rush (actually gave in and bought my first pack of Tena 2 days ago!)

I am GUTTED. I had the prolapse for 6 years whilst trying to conceive (unsuccessfully) a second child and got to age 42 and threw in the towel re another baby and decided to go for the op. I actually felt like we were moving on.

The thought of having to go to GP ... see consultant again with the likelihood of having another op is to say the least. Unfortunately where I live there is no 6 week check with consultant so you have the op and away you go ...

Sorry ... I needed to have a moan .... and not usually a drama queen but I could cry

Not been in for a while, but lurking and trying to keep up Had my tvt and ablation last week, and the surgeon had a good rummage and confirmed that the rectocele is now officially back. Surgery number six now being planned

Kotinka - might be nothing, but perhaps worth a call to the ward if only to put your mind at rest.

Rebels - that recovery time sounds very optimistic to me. I know I wouldn't have been able to manage a long commute that soon after surgery.

Someone'seaten - I know its overwhelming when you've gone through all that and more surgery is looking likely,but it might be helpful to go back and see what they have to say. Even if its not good news, getting your options straight and a clear diagnosis makes me feel a little bit more in control (even tho I am a certified drama queen and cry buckets afterwards lol). Sending you hugs xx

Just whizzing by, spotted another thread today which had some useful information and experience about stress incontinence on it so I have mentioned this thread on there and am going to link that one on here.

Hi rebels. I agree with roseanna that recovery time may well be too optimistic. I was convinced I would be back to work after 2 weeks as I have a desk job and short commute but the reality was that I did not return fully until 6 weeks. I worked from home week 4 and went in for half days week 5 but found that a struggle. What I didn't expect was the tiredness and the dragging feeling that only went when I lay down (sitting only ok for a while). I did not drive until 6 weeks and that felt about right - would not have wanted to earlier. My op was for rectocele only and although you are quite a bit younger than me, I think you may need to allow a little more time. On a positive note - I feel great now, the op really sorted me out - all systems go.

Great news re the scar Kotinka - fingers crossed for you. Take it easy meantime...when I had the rectocele repair I found it easier to lie on my side rather than sitting upright. Tried to convince myself that it was a glamorous 'chaise lounge' look

Rebels - I agree totally with MrsA about recovery time, I had a rectocele repair in Sept and was not driving or working again until 6 weeks, even then it was a gradual build-up to my usual level of activity by about 12 weeks and I'd say it was 4 months till I was really back to normal. I'm in my 40s and have a sedentary job, no lifting or standing for long periods, I would have been off longer in either of those cases.

Evening all, not been on for a while as at 9 weeks post cystocele and rectocele repair things are good. Back at work, although I was only back for 1 week then DD got chickenpox so I had another unscheduled week off, but life is slowly returning to normal. Still get the odd twinge if I'm tired and that dragging sensation before my period, but for the first time in 3.5 years I have days where I forget I ever had a prolapse.

So, last weekend with the help of a bottle glass of wine, and lots of lube, I had sex. It felt tight, and a little sore, but once I relaxed into it, it wasn't unpleasant at all. My question is, for those who have already been there, did any of you bleed afterwards? I had a not insignificant amount of pinky blood and was a bit worried. It stopped after a while but started again after a....ahem....repeat performance. So, do I take this as a sign I'm not quite ready or is this just things being stretched a bit and will soon settle down?

I have not had bleeding (4mths post rectocele repair), but have had swelling and soreness. Also have this post period, with pinkish wet discharge. I thought it was infection (swab says no), or sensitivity to the lube or condoms. The doc thinks it is hormones and has given me some vagifem. There is something in this, as I was taken off the pill by another gp last September, and this (after 29 years) and perimenopause is probably not helpful!

edwinbear I'm so impressed you had sex!! I'm 10 weeks post op today and the thought of sex terrifies me! Internally it all feels ok but my perenium is still sore and my old episiotomy scar is now really hard and sore too. Have been feeling quite down about it all over the past couple of weeks tbh. I also can't poo properly despite still taking Movicol. It all gets backed up and uncomfortable but won't come out. Sorry far tmi! Anyway my consultant thinks my pelvic floor is now too tight so I'm unable to relax and 'let go'. I'm having trigger point massage next week to try and help - just when I thought the indignity was all over!